Sri Lanka 281 for 4 (Kusal 101, Asalanka 78, Madushka 51, Abbott 1-41) beat Australia 107 (Smith 29, Wellalage 4-35, Hasaranga 3-23, Asitha 3-23) by 174 runs*
A depleted Australian side will enter the upcoming Champions Trophy low on confidence and in search of solutions after suffering a heavy 2-0 ODI series defeat to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s commanding 174-run victory in the second ODI in Colombo was driven by Kusal Mendis and captain Charith Asalanka, who powered their side to 281 for 4 before the hosts demolished Australia for just 107 in 24.2 overs.
This was Sri Lanka’s largest ODI victory over Australia, while the visitors slumped to their equal eighth-lowest total in the format. The Australians were thoroughly outplayed, their problems compounded by a mounting injury crisis, with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis all unavailable for both this series and the Champions Trophy.
Mendis and Asalanka Power Sri Lanka to 281
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka built their innings around Kusal Mendis’ 101 off 115 balls, his fifth ODI century. He found strong allies in Nishan Madushka (51 off 68) and skipper Charith Asalanka, who remained unbeaten on 78 off 66 balls.
Australia’s bowling attack, missing key pacers, lacked penetration. Ben Dwarshuis, handed an opportunity with Spencer Johnson and Nathan Ellis rested, bowled well with the new ball, while Sean Abbott (1-41) recovered from an expensive first ODI performance. However, legspinner Tanveer Sangha, playing his first ODI in 16 months, struggled, conceding 34 runs in five overs without a wicket.
Madushka and Mendis built a steady platform before Dwarshuis removed Madushka with a well-directed bouncer. Kamindu Mendis (4) fell cheaply to Abbott, but Asalanka and Kusal took charge.
Kusal reached his century before falling to Adam Zampa in the 45th over, but Asalanka’s late charge, alongside Janith Liyanage (29), ensured Sri Lanka crossed 280*—a total that proved insurmountable.
Australia’s Batting Collapse
Chasing 282, Australia’s lineup looked stronger with the inclusion of Travis Head, Josh Inglis, and Glenn Maxwell, replacing Cooper Connolly, Alex Carey, and Marnus Labuschagne. However, the visitors collapsed in spectacular fashion.
The early damage was done by Asitaha Fernando (3-23), who dismissed Matt Short (2) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (9) cheaply. Short, after a second-ball duck in the first ODI, was trapped lbw attempting an ill-advised review, while Fraser-McGurk fell to a slower ball after a couple of boundaries.
Head (18) started aggressively, but his rhythm was disrupted, and he holed out at deep square leg, leaving Australia in tatters at 35 for 3.
Stand-in captain Steven Smith (29) and Josh Inglis (19) provided a brief resistance, putting on 46 runs for the fourth wicket. However, the spin duo of Dunith Wellalage (4-35) and Wanindu Hasaranga (3-23) ran riot, taking seven wickets between them.
Inglis survived a close stumping appeal off Hasaranga but was soon bowled by Wellalage, who then produced a beauty to dismiss Maxwell (7), clipping the top of off stump.
Smith, who had been the backbone of Australia’s batting on this tour, was the final hope, but even he fell to Hasaranga, trapped lbw after a failed review. Australia’s lower order folded meekly, with the final six wickets tumbling for just 27 runs.
Contrasting Fortunes
This defeat marks Australia’s sixth loss in their last eight ODIs, raising significant concerns ahead of the Champions Trophy. Their batting frailties and ineffective death bowling have been exposed, while their depleted bowling attack struggled in both games.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka extended their strong ODI form, winning nine of their last 13 matches. However, their failure to qualify for the Champions Trophy due to a disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign remains a bitter pill to swallow.
For now, Sri Lanka can savor this commanding series victory, having backed up their stunning 49-run comeback win in the first ODI with an even more dominant display to seal the series 2-0.
